Duke’s defense ready to get back to normal at Virginia Tech

When the Blue Devils’ defensive players returned from their open weekend, practices finally had a more familiar feeling.

Because of Duke’s schedule so far, the defense has spent quite a bit of time breaking from its base 4-2-5 formation. Georgia Tech and Army necessitated the option 3-4 defense, and Boston College and Northwestern were particularly heavy on the offensive line with run-oriented offenses. Now with the trip to Virginia Tech on Saturday, its back to normal for the defense.

Or as safety DeVon Edwards put it: “Now, we get a chance to do what we really do with our defense.”

“It’s similar to going against our offense with things we do against the spread,” Edwards said. “That’s what we practice against all spring and all summer, but we had to adjust that going into a couple of games this season.”

Like the Blue Devils, the Hokies consider themselves “multiple” on offense, but the familiar up-tempo pace and spread and quarterback-run principles are there. The similarities in the teams’ schemes have allowed for some quality starting offense vs. starting defense work during last week’s open date and in practices this week, coach David Cutcliffe said. When Duke was playing teams with vastly different offensive identities, the starters were working mainly against the scout team units.

It’s not like the unfamiliar nature of the Yellow Jackets and Eagles hurt the defense. In fact, through six games, Duke ranks fourth nationally in total defense, surrendering just 252.8 yards per game. And only one team (Georgia Tech) has gained more than 316 yards in a game. Additionally, the defense has made quick work of many offensive drives, forcing an average of 6.2 three-and-outs a game (fifth nationally behind Alabama, Clemson, Marshall and Boise State).

Increased depth certainly is one reason why the Blue Devils have had better success on the defensive side of the ball. But beyond that, Cutcliffe said, the coaching staff made a conscious decision during the offseason to play a more aggressive style up front. The six-man rotation at defensive tackle and five-man rotation at the end positions have done that, making life easier on the linebackers and defensive backs in turn. Tackles for loss, for example, are up from 4.69 per game last year to 7.67 this season.

But now, against a team that is more balanced in terms of running and passing, that aggression has to be a bit smarter.

“Today was a little different going out there and not being able to shoot my gaps like I wanted to and all that stuff,” safety Dwayne Norman said, in reference to not being able to go all-in on stopping the run. “You definitely have to be a little bit more aware of what is going on around you. You can’t just zone in on one thing. Especially with Virginia Tech’s offense, they have a lot of people going in motion.”

Cutcliffe confirmed the practice tape from Tuesday indicated there is an adjustment period to defending a more balanced, up-tempo attack, even if that’s more familiar. And speaking of familiar, Duke’s breakthrough win at Virginia Tech in 2013, the program’s first victory over a ranked opponent since 1994, and first one on the road since 1971, is lending the Blue Devils an increased level of confidence, too.

“It was pure elation for the team,” Norman said of the 2013 win. “Everybody was excited, jumping around the locker room. It’s something that we were proud of as a defense. We went up there and won the game, and the offense did what they had to do to help us win.”

That win in Blacksburg, Va., was the first start of Edwards’ career. Since then, he has scored seven non-offensive touchdowns (five on kickoff returns, and two on interceptions against N.C. State in 2013). He feels like he and the rest of the defense have grown significantly since then.

“There were still some things that we didn’t do right but just got away with because of our athletic ability,” Edwards said. “But now we have to really focus in, because teams know how to scheme against our mistakes.”

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This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Duke’s defense ready to get back to normal at Virginia Tech."